Play in couple counseling has been proposed as an intervention, but research has not determined the effectiveness of couple play in increasing satisfaction and stability in couples. This study examined the influence of couple play on relationship factors that predict couple satisfaction and stability. The 30 couples in the study completed measures of couple play, relationship satisfaction, communication, conflict resolution, the couple’s view of the relationship, physical health, and individual emotional health. The frequency of couple play was predictive of the relationship measures, but not of individual physical or emotional health. The implications of the findings for using couple play in assessment and intervention in couples counseling are discussed.
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